Jorge Lopez out at UFC 143, Matt Riddle now meets Henry MartinezThe lineup shuffling continues for UFC officials, as Jorge Lopez (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been forced out of his planned contest with Matt Riddle (5-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC).
In his place steps octagon newcomer Henry Martinez (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC).
UFC officials recently announced the change.
Featuring an interim welterweight title fight between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit UFC 143 takes place Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Riddle looks to snap a two-fight losing streak, the first such run of his career. A rare fighter who has fought all of his professional contests in the octagon, he was beaten by UFC newcomer Lance Benoist this past September but was rewarded with a "Fight of the Night" bonus following the UFC Fight Night 25 bout. Riddle also dropped a decision to Sean Pierson at 2010's UFC 124 card.
He now faces Martinez, a Greg Jackson product who makes his UFC debut. Martinez, who competed as a featherweight in 2009 at Bellator Fighting Championships 2 (where he suffered his lone career loss), carried a four-fight win streak into the contest. All four wins have come via submission.
Lopez made his UFC debut at September's UFC Fight Night 25 event, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Justin Edwards. The result snapped a 10-fight win streak for "Lil' Monster," who had defeated the likes of Waachiim Spiritwolf, Chidi Njokuani, Dave Terrel and David Marshall on the regional circuit.
Source: Jorge Lopez out at UFC 143, Matt Riddle now meets Henry Martinez